Abstract:
A battery pack includes a battery including at least one battery cell, a terminal portion electrically connected to the battery and including a first pack terminal connected to an external load and a second pack terminal, a first switch configured to switch a discharge current of the battery according to a first control signal, a second switch configured to open or close according to a second control signal, and to open the first switch that is turned on by the first control signal, by a voltage of the first pack terminal or the second pack terminal, and a battery manager configured to output the first control signal and the second control signal.
Abstract:
A hand vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned downstream of a pre-motor filter. A post motor filter may be positioned downstream of the suction motor and fan assembly and may be in the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and an energy storage member may be in an upper end of the handle.
Abstract:
An autonomous mobile robot includes a body, a drive supporting the body above a floor surface, a light-propagating plate positioned on the body and having a periphery defining a continuous loop, light sources each being positioned to direct light through a portion of the plate to a portion of the continuous loop, and a controller to selectively operate the light sources to provide a visual indicator of a status or service condition of the autonomous mobile robot. The drive is configured to maneuver the mobile robot about the floor surface.
Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner head with a housing having a front end, a back end, a lower surface extending from the front end to the back end, and a suction opening through the lower surface. An agitator chamber is the suction opening, and a suction passage extends from the agitator chamber towards the back end. An agitator having a spindle and agitating devices is rotatably mounted to the housing. A cleaning member is movably mounted to the housing to move between a first position in which it does not engage the agitator, and a second position in which it engages the agitator to remove debris from the agitator during rotation of the agitator. A pedal extends from the back end of the housing and moves between a first pedal and a second pedal position to place the cleaning member in the second cleaning member position.
Abstract:
A method for energy Management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an, energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A vacuum hose handling and safety vacuum release system, a tubular column attachable to an industrial vacuum hose end having a long handle and a short T-handle positioned at right angles to each other that will allow a user to strategically place the metallic vacuum tube conveniently and easily to vacuum debris in a safe manner. The tube has at least one bypass orifice that the user can open to reduce or eliminate the suction at the nozzle via a lever pivotally located adjacent the T-handle.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
Abstract:
A surface cleaning head is disclosed. The surface cleaning head includes a housing, a brush system, and a panel open detector. The brush system includes a brush and a brush drive member drivingly connected to the brush. The brush is moveably mounted in the brush chamber and removably from the brush chamber. A panel open detector is operatively connected to a brush interruption member and the brush interruption member is operatively connected to the brush system. When the panel open detector detects that a panel on the housing is opened, the brush interruption member interacts with the brush system to prevent the brush drive member driving the brush.
Abstract:
A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a dirt separator that is removably attached to the main body. The dirt separator includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has an impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller.